Commons Church Podcast

Episodet

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  Cultivating Wisdom - Bobbi Salkeld 20.07.2026 26min

  What do you do when the world feels unfair and you find yourself “fret-burning” with anger? In this message, we explore the wisdom of Psalm 37—not as a transactional set of rules, but as a roadmap for finding composure, delight, and hope in the midst of life's messiness.While many read the Psalms looking for guarantees, they are actually poetic invitations to engage with the world honestly. When we choose to notice the goodness around us—even in the face of injustice—we can metabolize our anxiety and find a way back to the source of our strength.In this sermon, we discuss:• The Difference Between Fret and Delight: How to stop "setting yourself on fire" with anger and practice intentional delight.• Moving Beyond Transactional Spirituality: Why the Psalms don't offer a simple "if/then" contract with God, but a way to walk through life's highs and lows.• The Power of First-Person Awe: How sharing our experiences of wonder helps us face threats and find meaning in hard seasons.• Guarding the Good: Wisdom isn't just about what we know; it’s about how we act on the goodness we see in the world.Whether you are navigating burnout, doubt, or the search for deeper meaning, these verses offer a way to stay anchored in the truth that God is our ultimate stronghold. ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Be Still and Know - Alexandra Chubachi 12.07.2026 26min

  What does it mean to trust God when there are still very real reasons to be afraid?Psalm 46 doesn’t promise a life without chaos. Instead, it points to the presence of God—our refuge and strength—within our complicated histories, uncertain futures, and present moments.In this message, Alexandra explores how remembering, hope, creativity, mindfulness, and nonviolence can make us more aware of the God who is as close as our breath.“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” — Psalm 46:11#Psalm46 #BeStill #ChristianSermon #Faith #GodsPresence ★ Support this podcast ★
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  The Idols We Don't Recognize - Jeremy Duncan 28.06.2026 30min

  What if the greatest idols in our lives aren't statues—but fear, security, money, and the stories we tell to protect them?In Acts 19, Paul arrives in Ephesus and unintentionally sparks a city-wide riot. On the surface, it's a conflict over religion. But beneath the shouting lies something far more familiar: economic anxiety, fear of outsiders, and the temptation to use spiritual language to defend our own interests.As we conclude our series in Acts, we explore how the earliest followers of Jesus weren't called to conquer culture, but to become a different kind of people—people whose security wasn't rooted in wealth, power, or identity, but in the story of Christ.In this message:• Why the riot in Ephesus wasn't really about religion• How fear becomes disguised as faith• The idols that shape our decisions today• What Acts teaches us about following Jesus in a polarized world• Why the Church is called to embody a different storyScripture: Acts 19:23–41If this message encouraged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need it.#Acts #BookOfActs #ChristianSermon #Faith #Idolatry #Church #Jesus #BibleTeaching ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Far Off Places - Scott Wall 23.06.2026 31min

  In this episode of our spring series, The Way Forward, we walk through Acts 17:16-34 to explore Paul’s encounter in Athens. As Paul engages with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at the Areopagus, he provides a model for how we can navigate unfamiliar cultures and carry on thoughtful, faith-filled conversations in our own time.How do we move forward when our efforts seem to go unnoticed, or when we feel like we are investing in places where there is little immediate "fruit"?In this talk, we reflect on:The challenge of exceptionalism: How the gospel invites us to dismantle the walls we build between ourselves and others.The "Unknown God": Paul’s sermon on the universal intent of God’s care and renewal.Overcoming discouragement: Why your life’s service, creativity, and love are never just "throw-away lines," even when the results are hidden from view.Join us as we explore what it means to faithfully pursue the "way forward" in the far-off places of our lives.Scripture Reference: Acts 17:16-34 ★ Support this podcast ★
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  What to Keep, What to Leave - Bobbi Salkeld 14.06.2026 27min

  In this message, we explore the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, examining how early believers navigated deep conflict and cultural shifts within the church.1Key topics include:The Nature of Conflict: Why "certain people problems" are a normal, albeit challenging, part of community growth.Navigating Change: Understanding what to keep from the past and what to leave behind as the mission evolves.The Power of Conversation: How the Jerusalem Council demonstrates that holy, transformative dialogue is central to the life of the church.Grace and Inclusion: A look at the paradigm shift that expanded the circle of belonging, prioritizing grace over legalism.Bobbi also shares updates on the upcoming Marda Loop Commons launch and current community life at Commons Church. For more details on upcoming events and team-building opportunities, visit commons.church. ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Church That Refuses to Stand Still - Jeremy Duncan 07.06.2026 31min

  In Acts 13, the spotlight shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch—a diverse, unexpected community where the Holy Spirit is doing something entirely new. From former outsiders and unlikely leaders to the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas, this chapter reveals a church that chooses mission over comfort, creativity over control, and expansion over preservation.In this message, we explore how God's grace continually pushes the church beyond its assumptions, why the most transformative movements often emerge from the margins, and what it means to trust the Spirit enough to send our best into the unknown.Whether you're navigating change, wrestling with tradition, or discerning what's next, Acts 13 reminds us that the future of God's kingdom has always belonged to communities willing to follow where the Spirit leads. ★ Support this podcast ★
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  A Surprising Way Forward - Scott Wall 01.06.2026 31min

  How does faith change us over time?In Acts 10, Peter encounters a vision that challenges everything he thought he knew about who belongs, who is welcome, and how God works in the world. As he meets Cornelius—a Roman centurion and outsider to Israel's covenant story—the early church discovers that the Spirit of God is already moving beyond the boundaries they assumed were fixed.This message explores slippery slopes, spiritual growth, unexpected relationships, and the surprising truth that transformation is normal in the Christian life. What if the Spirit is at work in places, people, and experiences you never expected?📖 Scripture: Acts 10:1–45In this teaching, we explore:Why Peter's vision was so shockingHow spiritual growth often happens graduallyThe role relationships play in transforming our theologyWhat it means that Jesus is "Lord of all"How the Spirit continually pushes beyond our assumptionsCommons Church exists to create space for spirituality, curiosity, and community. We'd love to connect with you.🔗 Learn more: https://commons.church📍 Calgary, Alberta, Canada#Acts10 #CommonsChurch #ChristianFaith #SpiritualGrowth #BibleTeaching #PeterAndCornelius #HolySpirit #Theology #Church #Sermon ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Courageous Witness - Yelena Pakhomova 25.05.2026 27min

  What gives ordinary people the courage to speak truth, resist fear, and remain hopeful in a fractured world?In Acts 4 and 5, the early church faces its first wave of persecution after Peter and John heal a man at the temple gates and boldly proclaim the resurrection of Jesus. Confronted by powerful religious leaders, threatened, imprisoned, and punished, the apostles discover that true power is not found in coercion or control, but in resurrection, community, and the Spirit of God.In this sermon, Yelena explores:• Why the message of Jesus provoked opposition• What Acts teaches us about power and courage• How community helps us face fear• Why joy can still exist in suffering• What it means to live nonviolently and faithfully todayWhether you’re wrestling with fear, longing for deeper community, or trying to live with integrity in a divided world, this conversation invites us to become people of courageous witness together.Scripture: Acts 4–5Commons ChurchLove God. Love People. Tell the Story. ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Peter’s First Sermon Changed Everything - Jeremy Duncan 17.05.2026 30min

  What if the judgement of God looks nothing like we imagined?In Acts 2 we step into Peter’s first sermon after Pentecost—the moment the church begins to find its voice. But instead of fear, vengeance, or religious certainty, Peter announces something radically different: resurrection changes everything.Together we explore:- The real miracle of Pentecost- Why not everyone recognizes new movements of God- “Your sons and daughters will prophesy” and the expansiveness of the Spirit- The Day of the Lord reinterpreted through Jesus- Resurrection as God’s victory over violence and death- Why Peter sees the cross not as divine punishment, but divine participationThis is the story of a church learning to see the world differently in the light of Christ.Scripture: Acts 2 Commons Church — Calgary, Alberta ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Moving Forward When God Feels Silent - Bobbi Salkeld 10.05.2026 29min

  What do you do when the future feels uncertain, God feels quiet, and the old season is clearly over?In Acts 1–2, the early church finds itself in that exact moment — caught between resurrection and Pentecost, between promise and fulfillment, between what was and what will be. And somehow, in the waiting, God is already moving.This week at Commons Church, we explore how faith often begins not with certainty, but with trust in the middle of transition.—📍 Commons Church🌐 https://commons.church📷 Instagram: @commons.church#Acts #BibleTeaching #ChurchOnline #Faith #HolySpirit #CommonsChurch ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Love That Actually Lasts - Jeremy Duncan 03.05.2026 32min

  What if the real miracle of love isn’t finding the right person—but becoming the kind of person who can stay?In this final message of The Miraculous series, we explore the ancient story of Ruth and uncover a vision of love that goes far beyond romance. This is a story about commitment, community, and the quiet, steady work of choosing one another—again and again.From friendships to family, from social responsibility to romantic connection, love is revealed as something we build, not something we stumble into. And maybe, just maybe, it’s this kind of love that holds everything together.✨ If love is more than a feeling… what does it look like to practice it this week?—Commons ChurchCalgary, AlbertaMore messages: commons.church/watch ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Can Coincidences Be Miracles? - Jeremy Duncan 26.04.2026 31min

  What if the most meaningful moments in your life aren’t random at all?In this talk, we explore a surprising story from Acts 8—the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian traveler—and ask a simple but unsettling question: Can coincidence be a miracle?Rather than focusing on miracles as interruptions of nature, this message reframes the miraculous as something formed over time—through attentiveness, presence, and the kind of person we are becoming. Maybe the miracle isn’t just in the moment things come together… but in the quiet ways our lives are shaped to notice those moments at all.From desert roads to everyday conversations, this is an invitation to rediscover wonder—not in spectacle, but in the ordinary intersections of our lives.If you’ve ever wondered where God is in the middle of your everyday routines, this conversation is for you.📖  Scripture: Acts 8:26–40📍  Commons Church, Calgary🔔  Subscribe for more conversations on faith, culture, and the way of Jesus ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Storm, The Silence, and the Question of God - Scott Wall 19.04.2026 29min

  What do you do when it feels like God is asleep in the middle of your storm?In this reflection on Mark 4:35–41, we explore one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles—the calming of the sea—and wrestle with what it reveals about fear, faith, and the nature of God. Is the miracle about power…or presence?This Eastertide message invites you to move beyond what God can do and toward who God is—especially in the moments when life feels overwhelming.Question for reflection:How have the challenges in your life shaped your view of God? ★ Support this podcast ★
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  The Miraculous Universe - Jeremy Duncan 12.04.2026 33min

  What if miracles aren’t rare interruptions of reality—but the very fabric of it?In this opening message of our Miraculous series, we explore the deep connection between faith, science, and the nature of existence itself. From Genesis to the Big Bang, from quarks to galaxies, this conversation invites us to rethink what we mean when we say “God.”Maybe the greatest miracle isn’t when the rules break…Maybe it’s that anything exists at all.This is a call to wake up—to wonder, to relationship, and to the sacred reality holding everything together.#Faith #Science #Miracles #TheUniverse #Sermon ★ Support this podcast ★
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  You’re Not Who You Think You Are | Easter - Jeremy Duncan 05.04.2026 25min

  We all know the story of the prodigal son… or at least we think we do.This Easter message explores one of Jesus’ most famous parables—and reveals the surprising twist we often miss. What if the story isn’t just about a rebellious younger son… but also about the older brother standing outside the party?And what if Easter is the announcement that God is still coming after both?This sermon traces the movement from lost sheep, to lost coin, to lost sons—and ultimately to a God whose grace refuses to give up on anyone.Because the real question isn’t whether we’ve been lost…It’s whether we’re ready to be found.📖 Luke 15🎥 Recorded at Commons Church#Easter #ProdigalSon #Grace #Jesus #Church #Faith ★ Support this podcast ★
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  The Unjust Judge, Palm Sunday, and the Peace We Miss - Jeremy Duncan 29.03.2026 26min

  Palm Sunday is full of celebration—but also confusion.In this message, we hold together two powerful moments:• The parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18)• Jesus’ quiet, subversive entry into JerusalemTogether, they reveal something surprising about God:Grace doesn’t always look like justice.And peace doesn’t always come the way we expect.As we step into Holy Week, this teaching invites us to reconsider what we’re hoping for—and whether we’re ready for the kind of kingdom Jesus actually brings.🙏 A reflection on prayer, persistence, and faith🌿 A different way to understand Palm Sunday🕊️ A call to recognize the peace we often miss ★ Support this podcast ★
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  The Mustard Seed Isn’t What You Think - Jeremy Duncan 22.03.2026 28min

  We’ve all heard that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed—small beginnings, big results. But what if that’s not actually the point?In this message, we explore one of Jesus’ most familiar parables and uncover the twist we often miss. The kingdom of God doesn’t just grow—it shows up in unexpected places, disrupts our assumptions, and welcomes the people we might overlook.Through the story of a healing on the Sabbath and a strange little seed planted in the wrong place, we’re invited to rethink what grace really looks like.What if the kingdom isn’t about power or perfection… but presence, disruption, and radical inclusion?📍Commons Church📅 Part of our Parables of Grace series#ParablesOfJesus #MustardSeed #Grace #Sermon #KingdomOfGod ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Shameless Audacity - Jeremy Duncan 15.03.2026 29min

  What if prayer isn’t about convincing God to listen?In Luke 11, Jesus tells a strange story about a neighbour who refuses to help in the middle of the night. At first glance, it sounds like a lesson about persistence—keep knocking until God finally answers. But a closer look reveals something deeper.In this message from our Parables of Grace series, we explore the story often called The Unhelpful Friend and discover that Jesus isn’t teaching us to badger God into responding. Instead, he invites us into a posture of shameless audacity—standing before God without fear, calculation, or shame.Prayer isn’t a transaction.It’s an act of trust.Join us as we explore:• Why Jesus answers questions with stories• Our human desire for predictable formulas in faith• The difference between persistence and audacity in prayer• What it means to approach God without shameScripture: Luke 11:1–8If you’d like to learn more about Commons Church, visit:https://commons.church#prayer  #Luke11 #ParablesOfGrace #JesusTeaching #Faith ★ Support this podcast ★
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  The Prison of Unforgiveness - Scott Wall 09.03.2026 32min

  Unpack the profound challenge of limitless forgiveness in Jesus's Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35).When Peter asks how many times he must forgive his brother, Jesus sets the bar: not seven times, but seventy-seven times—a hyperbolic instruction for no cap on forgiveness. This parable, the capstone of a teaching series on community dynamics, focuses on the vast contrast between the king’s audacious cancellation of an unpayable debt (a "gajillion dollars") and the first servant's brutal insistence on collecting a small one (two to three months wages).This teaching exposes how difficult it is to resist exacting every claim we are owed. While the parable’s severe ending can be jarring, we look at the limits of the metaphor: Jesus is not formulating a theology of eternal retribution, but painting a picture of the self-chosen prison of unforgiveness. Unforgiveness can become the "debt that keeps us locked up".Ultimately, the story reveals a king moved by splagxnizomai—a deep, guttural, overwhelming compassion. It reminds us that God, who acts an awful lot like Jesus, uses grace instead of punishment to change our hearts.This is the third message in our "Parables of Grace" series. Catch up on the previous messages on the Good Samaritan and the Lost Sheep! ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Lost Sheep & Unreasonable Grace - Jeremy Duncan 01.03.2026 28min

  What did Jesus really mean when He said the shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one?In this message from Luke 15:1–7, we explore the Parable of the Lost Sheep — one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus — and uncover the scandal, absurdity, and beauty of grace.This isn’t just a comforting story about being rescued. It’s a disruptive story about a God whose love defies social norms, economic logic, and religious expectations.In this sermon, we explore:Why the religious leaders were uncomfortable with JesusThe social pressure of belonging and “normal” faithThe economics of grace (why leaving the 99 makes no sense)Whether we are the lost sheep… the 99… or invited to become like the shepherdWhat radical grace means in a polarized worldJesus doesn’t offer a technical theological argument here.He offers a story that forces us to ask:👉 What is God actually like?👉 Who gets left outside?👉 And what if grace is far more unreasonable than we’re comfortable with?Whether you’ve felt lost, left out, written off — or whether you’ve struggled with who belongs — this parable speaks directly to us.Scripture: Luke 15:1–7Series: Parables of Grace—If this message resonates with you, consider subscribing for more teachings exploring the radical grace and upside-down kingdom of Jesus.#LostSheep #Luke15 #ParablesOfJesus #Grace #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #ChurchOnline #Jesus #Faith #RadicalGrace ★ Support this podcast ★